Arrestling Founder Sgt Don Gulla
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Sgt Don Gulla combines real world experiences with pressure tested training to provide full spectrum force options. Combining classroom with hands-on training enhances student’s training experience.
PUBLICATIONS (Books, e-Books & DVD)
Arrestling Advanced Weapon Retention and Ground Survival Instructor’s Manuals Arrestling Coach Level DVD
Hostile Grounds : Defusing and Restraining Violent Behavior and Physical Assaults
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
1990-present
Arrestling Force Options Training – Founder/CEO
Sgt Don Gulla has combined 33 years of pressure testing tactics for Law Enforcement, Corrections and Security Officers. Training began in 1990 with Police Academy Instructors morning trainings sessions before Academy Classes. Soon the recruits wanted to join in before or after academy hours, this is where over the next 33 years tactics were tested against thousands of former football players , wrestlers, boxers, former Delta/Seals , all military branches, bouncers, talented athletes and some just plain tough recruits. With over 55 years of Combative/Marital Arts/Sports training he’s combined key elements he’s found to be effective for Average Officer to use on the Street. Receiving the 2016 Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Law Enforcement Training by combining useable tactics from Judo, Wrestling, BJJ, Combat Submission Wrestling, Karate, Krav, Muay Thai, MMA, Aikido, Boxing, Arnis/Kali and many others. Local fighters training for upcoming UFC fights would request to train with Arrestling tough instructors/students, depending on stand-up skills, ground skills and weight class. Many Arrestling Instructors/students have competed in MMA, Judo, Karate, BJJ, Submission Grappling, Kick Boxing and Firearm’s Competitions. Arrestling has become known for the most realistic Weapon Retention tactics. Some think Ground Survival Tactic is something new. Arrestling is 34 years ahead of current BJJ Law Enforcement Ground Tactics. Many Arrestling Instructors/Students are BJJ Blackbelt including a Senior GST Instructor.
2014 – present
National Training Director, Polis-Solutions, Inc.
Polis is a national leader in social science based training, research, and development for law enforcement and other mission critical organizations. Polis is a DOJ funded Training and Technical Assistance provider, supporting evidence based de-escalation training around the United States.
T3 – Tact Tactics and Trust Training across United States. $2.1 million DOJ Valor Program. Lead Instructor for T3 User and Train the Trainer Classes. Some agencies we’ve trained include: Philedelphia PD, Newark PD, Memphis PD, Detroit PD, Albuquerque PD, New Orleans PD, Fayetteville PD, Tucson PD, Doral PD, Fort Myers PD, Columbia SC PD, Woodbury MN PD, Washington DC Mass Area Transit Authority PD, Wichita PD, Beaufort SC PD and Michigan City PD.
ADAPT Project The National Officer Safety Initiatives (NOSI) program to evaluate, update, and improve defensive tactics training for state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies and training academies. Polis will work closely with selected agencies and academies to evaluate existing defensive tactics training, and based on this evaluation will develop a model defensive tactics training program that law enforcement agencies can implement nationwide.
2024 – WSCJTC Lead UOF C/DT Instructor – Sgt Gulla shot, produced and edited over 100 videos. He developed a new 3×4 foot QR-Poster to merge technology and videos. Students/Instructors can now use these QR-Code links to review tactics anytime via their smart phones/computers.
When Opened: Lead Firearms Instructor – WSCJTC NW Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academy, Arlington WA Defensive Tactics Instructor – Taser Instructor – X26P, X-2, Taser 7 and Taser 10, Patrol Tactics, CIT
2020 – 2023 National Training Director and Head of Training Advisory Board – Spidercuff Developed Spidercuff Training Advisory Board to improve product development and Training Curriculum Developed Spidercuff User, Instructor, Master Instructor and Senior Master Curriculum
2017 – 2022 – Current Next Level Training Ambassador
Chief Master Training Coordinator – Next Level Training
Developed Master SIRT Pistol Training Class and Safety Protocol for Academy Instructor
Developed Civilian SIRT Training, NRA SIRT Training, M.A.-F.A.S.T. Maritial Arts- Fire Arms Safety Training
1984-2017
King County Sheriff’s Office – Retired as Sergeant
- 2010 – 2017 Sgt. in charge of King County Crisis Intervention Training Coordinator assigned to Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center
- 1997-2009 King County Sheriff’s Office Full Time SWAT Team Member – Completing over 600 missions. 1997 Assigned to the SWAT Team as an Entry Team Member. He is part of the Tactical Training Unit, which is responsible for instructing deputies in Defensive Tactics, Active Shooter, Firearms, and in-service Taser Training.
Basic Law Enforcement Academy Instructor – Criminal Investigations Instructor, Traffic Instructor, Crisis Intervention Instructor and Defensive Tactics Instructor. - 2015 Developed 4 Modules of training to increase safety for 900 Washington State Dept of Health and Social Services Employees. Modules include Awareness, Social Interactions Tactics, De-escalation Tactics and Self Protection Tactics.
- 2011 Hostage/Crisis Negotiation/Crisis Supervisor. Attended FBI 40 HNT Training.
- 2010 King County Crisis Intervention Training Coordinator – Training to help first responders respond to those in Mental Crisis. MIDD program for all Police Agencies in King County.
- 2003 Assigned to SWAT Security Detail of Gary Ridgeway (Green River Killer), during plea and sentencing.
- 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Security Detail, assigned to Deer Valley and Park City.
- 2000 – 2010 Department Taser Coordinator – Monitored and Trained KCSO Instructors and Deputies. Testified in City, County and State Courts for Taser UOFs.
- 1999 One of the primary Riot Team Trainers for the World Trade Organization (WTO) held in Seattle. During the WTO Riots, assigned to a Tactical Response Team responsible for supporting Riot Teams, Dignitary Protection, National Guard Support, and Hostage/Officer Rescue.
- 1990-97 Assigned to Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.
Police Academy Instructor for Crisis Intervention, Traffic, Criminal Investigation and Defensive Tactics. - 1996 Atlanta Olympic Security Team, Athens.
- 1990 Goodwill Games Anti-Terrorist Unit.
EDUCATION
Green River Community College
Bellevue Community College
Highline Community College
NOTABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Martial Art and Combatives: In 1968 10 year old Don Gulla started boxing at the Auburn Elks Boxing Club. He quickly learned that hard training, with lots of sweat, paid off in the ring. He went undefeated as an amateur fighter.
This was the beginning of his 50 year journey in martial/combat arts training. He learned about character from Legendary Kent Meridian Wrestling Coach, Dick Pruett and was part the 1975 Washington State High School Championship Team.
Black Belt Hall of Fame, Sensei Doug Graham was his High School Judo Coach. Don was State Judo Champ and Team Captain his senior year and a two time Junior Olympic Gold Medalist. This is when he first learned the importance of realistic training against someone who is really resisting.
While teaching Judo at a local Boys Club, he observed Ed Lewis’s Karate/Kung-Fu class and started training under Ed. He studied the Style of Yao Mun Nomad (New Organization of Martial Art and Defense), which also promoted a new concept of Kick Boxing, or Full Contact Karate. He reached Black Belt rankings in both Karate and Judo. He learned quickly that if you want to prevent injuries, you must train smart.
1979 Began Combat Arnis training with Master Filipino Martial Artist Qui Brocka, who taught him how to combine styles to be more effective.
1981-1984 Competed in Mr. Pacific Coast, Emerald Cup, and Northwest Natural Body Building Championships, placing 2nd.
1984 Hired by the King County Sheriff’s Office.
1985 Washington State TaeKwon-Do Black Belt Grand Champion, Sparring Division.
1985-2002 Competed in the CanAm Police and Fire Games, winning over 20 medals in Powerlifting, Judo, Submission Grappling, Karate, Full Contact Stick Fighting, Track and Field, Pistol Shooting, and Paintball.
1984-2006 Attended Instructor Level Classes conducted by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, receiving certification as Master Defensive Tactics Instructor, Riot Team Instructor, Advanced Firearms Instructor, and Master Taser Instructor.
1990-1997 Assigned to the Police Academy, teaching Criminal Investigations, Traffic Enforcement, Crisis Intervention, and Defensive Tactics.
1990 The birth of Arrestling. Began morning workouts with fellow Academy Instructor, Rob Bardsley. (See “What’s Arrestling”)
1995 Began training with the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Team, working tohis Purple Belt under Professor Marcelo Alonso.
1985-2002 Competed in the World Police and Fire Games, winning 4 Gold Medals, including defeating the Russian Police Karate Team in Sweden, 1999.
1997 Assigned to the SWAT Team as an Entry Team Member. He is part of the Tactical Training Unit, which is responsible for instructing deputies in Defensive Tactics, Active Shooter, Firearms, and in-service Taser Training.
1990 Goodwill Games Anti-Terrorist Unit.
1996 Atlanta Olympic Security Team, Athens.
2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Security Detail, assigned to Deer Valley and Park City.
1999 One of the primary Riot Team Trainers for the World Trade Organization (WTO) held in Seattle. During the WTO Riots, assigned to a Tactical Response Team responsible for supporting Riot Teams, Dignitary Protection, National Guard Support, and Hostage/Officer Rescue.
2003 Assigned to SWAT Security Detail of Gary Ridgeway (Green River Killer), during plea and sentencing.
2006 Promoted to Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Carlson Gracie Jr.), under Professor Marcelo Alonso.
Promoted to Coach Level I in Combat Submission Wrestling under Erik Paulson. Promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt (Red/White) Shihanin Kyokushin Budokai Karate under Kaicho Jon Bluming, one of the Best All Around Fighters of All Time.
2007 Selected to teach Defensive Tactics to Russian Police Officers and Omon/SWAT Instructors at the Police Academy in Shakhalin Islands-Yuzhno, Russia
2007 Promoted to Senior Master Instructor. Introduced the new technique called, Angled Drive Stun, improving Taser Cartridge on Drive Stun.
2007 Introduced the First “Arrestling International Mixed Marshal” Fights to help raise over $50,000 for children’s charities. Officers wear Judogis, Gunbelts, Ballistic Vest, and Glock T-17 Simm Guns. UFC meets Real Police Combatives.
2008 Introduced “Dual Weapon Retention and G-W.R.A.P.S.tm” at the 2008 International Law Enforcement Educator Trainers Association (ILEETA) Conference in Chicago.
2009 Technical Advisor for newly formed “Guns & Hoses Police/Fire Submission Grappling League.” Over 20 Police, Fire, and Military Teams.
Don is Coach of TAPNW/Arrestlers, the local Police Submission Grappling League.
Money raised during the matches goes to Police/Fire Charities.
2011 Honored to train 100’s of our Warriors at Bangor Naval Base in G-WRAPS, both Basic and Instructor Level
Don saw the future of Firearms and DT Training in the new SIRT Training Pistol. Developed DT/Firearm SIRT Drills to increase Officer Survival. Flinch Draw was developed by Sgt Gulla to get Officer’s Head out of the way. #1 shot killing Officers and it was taught during “Surviving an Lakewood Style Ambush” at the International Law Enforcement Trainer And Educators (ILEETA) Conference.
Don competed at the 2011 World Police and Fire Games held in New York. Over 18,000 Competitors from 85 Countries. Winning his 5th Gold Medal in Black Belt Karate Fighting Division and 5th Place in the Police Action Pistol Competition.
2013 Don works to provide Crisis Intervention Team Training to First responders to help them deal with those in Crisis. He has developed an Advanced CIT Training Course. These classes Improve Safety for both the Officer and Subject.
2016 Don was inducted into the Marital Arts Hall of Fame for Police Training.
GWRAPS is adopted by Rener Gracie’s GST Law Enforcement Ground Survival Tactics Program.
2017 Awarded Northwest CIT Coordinator of the Year
2019 As National Training Director for Polis-Solutions provided T3 – Tact Tactics and Trust Training across United States. $2.1 million DOJ Valor Program. Lead Instructor for T3 User and Train the Trainer Classes. Some agencies we’ve trained include: Philedelphia PD, Newark PD, Memphis PD, Detroit PD, Albuquerque PD, New Orleans PD, Fayetteville PD, Tucson PD, Doral PD, Fort Myers PD, Columbia SC PD, Woodbury MN PD, Washington DC Mass Area Transit Authority PD, Wichita PD, Beaufort SC PD and Michigan City PD.
2019 Introduced Combat Shroud and G2WRAPS which attaches to handguns. Next Generation of CQB Shooting, Weapon Retention and New Tactical Support Hand Gripping System.
2019 International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainer’s Association Conf – St Louis MO – Deadly Force Discussion Panel – Panel Member
2020 Awarded 2 Year $750,000 DOJ Project to research and design NEW U.S. Defensive Tactics Model.
Sgt Gulla is Polis Solution’s National Training Director and one of the primary Leads on the ADAPT Project. The National Officer Safety Initiatives (NOSI) program to evaluate, update, and improve defensive tactics training for state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies and training academies. Polis will work closely with selected agencies and academies to evaluate existing defensive tactics training, and based on this evaluation will develop a model defensive tactics training program that law enforcement agencies can implement nationwide.
2022 – Active Threat and Awareness Courses for Hospitals, Casinos, Schools, Social Services, Churches, Security Forces and Corporations.
2022 – 18 Classes – Awareness and De-escalation Classes taught Statewide for DSHS -Washington State Dept of Social Health Services
2023 ILEETA Conference – St Louis MO – Adaptation vs Evolution: Redefining the Training Industry Discussion Panel – Panel Member
2023 Chief Instructor CIT Force Options – King County CIT Force Options is the only U.S. CIT Force Options Training available. is Advanced CIT Training to blend De-escalation with Force Options Worldwide, developed in 2013. Audited and Approved by CIT International.
2023 – Polis Solutions developed TRUSTSTAT™– The World’s First Multimodal AI System for the Analysis of Body-Worn Camera Video. In partnerships with Microsoft and GE, Polis is accelerating the use of AI and other state-of-the-art technology to tap the vast, unrealized potential of data from body-worn cameras and other devices.
CERTIFICATION/INSTRUCTOR COURSES
- Shotgun Instructor
- Handgun Instructor
- Handgun Optics Instructor
- Patrol Rifle Instructor
- Patrol Rifle with Optics Instructor
- SWAT Sub-Gun Instructor
- Chief Master SIRT Pistol Instructor / Developed Master SIRT Instructor Course
- G-WRAPS – Gulla’s Weapon Retention and Positional Shooting Developer
- NTOA – Active Shooter Instructor
- KCSO – Active Shooter Instructor
- Advanced Active Shooter Instructor – Paul Howe CSAT
- United Force Option’s Developer/Chief Instructor
- V.E.S.T. – Violent Encounter Survival Training Developer/Chief Instructor
- CIT Force Options – Developer/Chief Instructor
- SWAT, Basic
- WSCJTC Security Firearm’s Instructor
- Chief Master SIRT Pistol Instructor
- Advanced Weapon Retention Instructor/Developer
- Advanced Ground Survival Instructor/Developer
- Combined Firearms/Dt Instructor/Developer
- Simunition Instructor
- UTM Instructor
- Police Paintball Instructor
- Glock Armorer
- Sig Sauer Armorer
- Gunsmithing
- Primary Civil Response (Riot Teams) Instructor for WTO – KCSO
- Force Science Certification
- Taser Instructor
- Master Taser Instructor
- Senior Master Taser Instructor
- Master BolaWRAP Instructor
- Incident Response to Terrorist Bombing – New Mexico Tech/EMRTC
- CIT International CIT Coordinator Certification
- Mental Health First Aid LE Instructor
- CIT Youth Instructor
- CIT Force Options Instructor
- CIT Corrections Instructor
- CIT Dispatch Instructor
- CIT Youth Instructor
- Mental Health First Aid Instructor
- Instructor Development, Basic
- Master Defensive Tactics Instructor
- Unarmed Control Tactics Instructor
- Impact Weapons Instructor
- Defensive Tactics for ERT Instructor
- Private Security Firearm’s Instructor
- Unarmed Defensive Tactics, Lev 2, Instr Recert
- LE Physical Fitness Technician, Refresher
- Chief Master Spidercuff Instructor
- Cop Talk
- Critical Incident Survival Instructor
- Race Relations
- Using Positive Discipline
- Counseling and Coaching for Supervisors
- LE First-level Supervision
- Ethics
- Shock Knife Safety Monitor
- FST Instructor
- Side Handle Baton
- Hazardous Material Operations
- Radar Operator Certification
- Breathalyzer Certification
- Infrared Breath testing Certification & Refresher (Multiple)
- Preliminary Breath Test., Basic
- Improved Sobriety Testing
- Collision Investigation, Basic
- Taser 26P, X-2, Taser 7 and Taser 10 Instructor
OTHER PROFESSIONAL WORK OF NOTE
ProTraining Mental Health Awareness
This training program stems from a program that was originally developed at the University of Alberta, Department of Psychiatry, to advance the mental health training of police officers. This program proved overwhelmingly successful, showing increases in police mental health awareness, communication, de- escalation and empathy skills as well as an increase in police efficiency and a decrease in number of use-of-force occurrences. https://966.yssecure.com/advisory-board
Presenter
Presented over 20 courses from 2003-2023 ILEETA – International Law Enforcement and Trainer’s Association Conferences
WSLEFIA – Washington State Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor’s Association
WSTOA – Washington State Tactical Officer Association
IALEFI – International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
3X -CIT Crisis Intervention Team International Conferences
3X NW CIT – Crisis Intervention Team Conference
3X – ASLET – American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers Association
ALERRT – Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Conference
Master Taser Conferences – Gulla’s Angled Drivestun
5X -USCCA – United States Concealed Carry Conference – Advanced Conceal Carry Cours
IADLEST – International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
Martial Arts Super Show – MAFAST – Martial Arts FireArms Safety Training